Ventilator operating mechanism



Dec. 20, 1938.

J. H. TUTTLE- I 2,140,865

VENTILATOR OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed Dec. 19, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. rfo/m H. Eff/6 6M7 KZW ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE John H. Tuttle, Kalamazoo, Mich., assignor to Checker Cab Manufacturing Corporation, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application December 19, 1936, Serial No. 116,762

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ventilator operating mechanisms.

The main objects of my invention are: First, to provide ventilator operating mechanism for automatically elevating and lowering a ventilator cover suitable for use on the roof of a taxicab or like enclosed vehicle.

Second, to provide an operating mechanism of the type described which is simple in construction and substantially self-contained and readily installed.

Third, to provide a pneumatic mechanism of the type described which is quick in action and which embodies a system of levers and links whereby the pneumatic pressure required to elevate and lower the ventilator cover is minimized.

Fourth, to provide mechanism of the type described and control means therefor which is readily manually actuated, the mechanism being operable at any time when the vehicle motor is running.

Further objects relating to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the interior of the passenger compartment of a taxicab or similar vehicle, illustrating the opening formed in the roof, the adjustable cover for the same, and certain features of the operating mechanism to which this application is directed. 35 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view in longitudinal section illustrating details of the linkage constituting the elevating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 4, further illustrating the operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view in section on a line corresponding to line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

This invention relates to an operating mechanism for roof ventilator devices such as the one 5 illustrated and described in my copending application, Serial No. 116,761, filed December 19, 1936, whereby the pivoted cover embodying a transparent panel or panels may be readily elevated or lowered with a minimum of difiiculty and exertion. In the copending application referred to, I have illustrated two embodiments of manually actuated means for effecting the raising and lowering movement of the cover. However, I have found that by employing a vacuum-operated plunger suitably connected by linkage to the cover, this raising and lowering movement may be accomplished more speedily and easily. Reference may be had to the aforesaid copending application for specific details of the ventilator and cover structure.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral I in general indicates a ventilator cover comprising a tubular frame member 2, a transparent panel 3 supported by the frame member, and a peripheral depending downturned skirt 4 carried in an outer channel in the frame member for sealing tightly against the roof of the vehicle.

The aforesaid roof is indicated by the reference numeral 5 and is, as described in my copending application, provided with an opening 6 sur- 15 rounded by an upstanding rubber gasket l to form a further seal against the cover in closed position thereof. I indicate the partition separating the drivers and passen'gers compartment by the reference numeral 8 and the roof frame structure, including transverse ventilator frame members of wood or metal, is indicated by the reference numeral 9.

For the purpose of elevating the cover l, I pro vide a pair of brackets H3 secured to the ventilator frame 9 inside the opening 6 and on either longitudinal side thereof by screws II, the screws extending through the finish molding 12 provided on the interior of opening 6. Inasmuch as the brackets and elements carried thereby (to be hereinafter described) are identical, it will sufiice to describe the provisions on only one side of the opening 6. Said provisions consist of a bell crank lever l3 pivoted to bracket It at M, the longer arm l5 of the lever being connected to the cover I by a link l6 pivoted to arm i5 at H. At its other end, link i6 is pivoted at 18 to a member i9 rigidly fixed to a plate 20, which plate is in turn rigidly secured to the tubular cover frame member 2.

The short arm 2! of bell crank lever I3 is connected to a rod 22 by means of a link 23 pivoted to the arm and rod. The rod is slidably mounted in openings in ventilator frame 9 and partition 8 and is offset at its forward end to provide a lug 25.

On the forward side of partition 8, I mount a U-shaped bracket 25, see Fig. 3, the legs of the bracket having openings therein receiving a rockshaft 26. On the upper end of rockshaft 26 above the upper leg of bracket 25 is a bell crank lever 21, one arm 28 of which receives lug 2d. The other arm 29 of bell crank 27 is connected to the offset end of a coupling rod 30 and secured by a cotter pin 3|. Coupling rod 30 extends between the corresponding bell cranks 21 mounted on the forward side of partition 8 and connects the same for simultaneous and similar movement under the influence of pneumatic actuating means which will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that I provide a sheet metal housing 32 enclosing a space in front of partition 8 wherein the brackets 25 and linkage associated therewith are mounted.

Within housing 32, I likewise mount by means not shown a vacuum cylinder 33 in which a plunger 34 is slidably carried. The cylinder is communicated at either end thereof by tubes I34 with a reversing valve 35 of known type, which valve is controlled by a handle 36 on the rear wall of partition 8. This valve may be of any desired conventional type adapted to selectively communicate either one of the tubes I34, hence either end of cylinder 33, with a source of operating vacuum. The conduit 31 suitably connects the valve 35 with the intake manifold of the vehicle engine for providing an operating vacuum capable of reciprocating plunger 34 in either direction as determined by reversing valve 35. Manipulation of handle 35 communicates one or the other conduit l3 l with the operating vacuum, according to whether the handle is turned to open or close position (see Fig. 1).

Plunger 34 carries a connecting rod. 38 extending through one end of cylinder 33, which connecting rod is pivotally joined to a lever 39 fast on rockshaft 26.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my operating or elevating device is believed to be clear. Assuming that the vehicle engine is running and it is desired to raise the ventilator cover into the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, handle 36 is manipulated to open valve 35 to conduit 31 and the vacuum is also communicated to the lower end of cylinder33 (as viewed in Fig. 4) through tubes or conduits I34, causing plunger 34 to be reciprocated in the cylinder. Lever 39 is accordingly oscillated by connecting rod 38 and similarly oscillates bell cranks 29 in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4. Rods 22 are accordingly shifted forwardly, pivoting bell crank 25 about its pivot point I, straightening link l6 into alinement with arm I5 of the bell crank, and resulting in the elevation of cover I.

The operating device shown and described is simple in construction and quick and positive in action. The structure of my invention may be applied to any conventional vehicle body and in combination with the details of ventilator sealing structure herein generally described and more particularly described and claimed in my copending application above described constitutes a controllable ventilating structure which is convenient, inexpensive and very practical.

I have illustrated and. described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an operating mechanism for a ventilator cover adapted to cover an opening in a vehicle roof and including means pivoting the same to the roof, said mechanism comprising a bracket secured to said roof inside the opening, a bell crank lever pivoted to said bracket, a link pivotally connecting one arm of said lever to said cover, a rod slidably mounted in the roof frame and a partition of said vehicle and pivotally connected to the other arm of said lever, and pneumatic means for actuating said rod longitudinally to open or close said cover and comprising a cylinder disposed parallel to the partition and at an angle to said rod, a plunger in said cylinder, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said partition and having one arm thereof connected to said rod, and linkage connecting said last named lever to said plunger for actuation thereby.

2. In an operating mechanism for a ventilator cover adapted to cover an opening in a vehicle roof and including means pivoting the same to the roof, said mechanism comprising a bracket secured to said roof inside the opening, a bell crank lever pivoted to said bracket, a link pivotally connecting one arm of said lever to said cover, a rod slidably mounted in the roof frame and a partition of said vehicle and pivotally connected to the other arm of said lever, pneumatic means mounted on said partition and extending parallel thereto for actuating said rod longitudinally to openor close said cover, and. means connecting said rod to said pneumatic means for actuation thereby.

3. In an operating mechanism for a ventilator cover adapted to cover an opening in a vehicle roof and including means pivoting the same to the roof, said mechanism comprising a rod slidably mounted in the roof frame and a partition of said vehicle, means operatively connectingsaid rod to said cover, and pneumatic means for actuating said rod longitudinally to open or close said cover and comprising a cylinder disposed at an angle to the rod, a plunger in said cylinder, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said partition and having one arm thereof connected to said rod, and linkage connecting said last named lever to said plunger for actuation thereby.

JOHN H. TUTTLE. 

